Where's The Fun? August 2013

CC Approved!Who: Wade LingerWhat: 1968 AMC Rambler RogueWhere: West VirginiaWhy: Check out Wade’s Rambler. It’s so pristine that it looks like he just pulled it out of a time capsule that’s been sealed up for the last 40 years. But pop the hood, and your jaw will drop at the sight of the clean LS1 swap. Other goodies include a 4L60E transmission and a Ford 7.5-inch axle from a Ranger pickup. Wade says, "I left the exterior totally stock with the exception of the ’67 Rambler poverty caps. To make the car more driveable, I added power steering, power disc brakes, an Addco front sway bar, AMX torque links, Vintage Air, and cruise control."

Holdover VictimWho: Augie BettencourtWhat: 1956 Chevrolet Bel AirWhere: San Jose, CAWhy: Augie’s Chevy was supposed to run a few months ago but got cut for space. He’ll be relieved to see it didn’t completely disappear into the ether of lost stories. He calls his car a restomod: It’s got a 396 stroker big-block from Blue Print Engines, an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake with a Holley 750 carb, a serpentine-belt retrofit, and a TH400 transmission connected to a 12-bolt rear with cruiser-friendly 3.55:1 gears. The wheels are Intro’s Twisted Vista model mounted with Nitto NT-05 tires.

5/10

Big-Port ClevelandWho: Richard GreenleeWhat: 1971 Ford Torino GTWhere: Palm Bay, FLWhy: We like these early Torinos, and Richard’s car is an excellent example of one. He’s owned it for about 13 years, and it’s equipped with a 4V 351 Cleveland, a C6 automatic, and a 9-inch with 3.70:1 gears. He says his best e.t. is 13.79 at 109 mph.

6/10

Events

Back to Du Quoin
Pass the word: After more than a two-decade hiatus, Car Craft is going back to Du Quoin, Illinois, for the Street Machine Nationals. Clear your calendar for June 28–30 this year and join us at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds for what’s sure to be one hell of a party. There will be trophies handed out, swimsuit models to stare at, supercharged big-blocks, a burnout contest, a dyno challenge, and plenty of fairground cruising. In addition, a special build of a Tri-Five Chevy will begin at the show. Complete show information can be found at www.familyevents.com.

Car Craft Midnight Drags!
We’re still hammering out the details, but if you’re planning to join us at the Street Machine Nationals this year, keep Saturday night (June 29) open, because you’re not going to want to miss the Midnight Drags Grudge Racing night at I-57 Dragstrip in Benton, Illinois. Midnight Drags is available to anyone with a street car who can pass the track’s tech inspection. Racers can caravan with us from the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds or just meet us at the track. An entry fee will be collected at the track, then racing will begin using the track’s Grudge Race format. Prizes will be awarded to the top 10 finishers, with the overall winner receiving one-of-one Midnight Drags Champion jacket.

"My ’76 Olds will do smoke shows in three gears. This was in sunny Florida— year-round smoke shows for everybody."
Damon Stickney, via email

8/10

Reader Contribution
We have almost every issue of Car Craft Magazine hidden in our archives. We say almost because sometimes magazines are borrowed and never returned. We were missing one magazine from the ’60s, one from the ’70s, and two from the ’80s, and we mentioned it in the pages of this magazine. Thanks to reader Tom Nolen, who donated the issues from his personal collection so the Car Craft archive could once again be complete. We’ve included a photo of his ’55 Chevy. Thanks, Tom.

9/10

Blown Up Part of the Month
Reader Jim sent us this description and accompanying photo from his LG phone: "3 grand hole shot, blew the gears out of my 68 mustang." Have you turned your differential housing into a bowl of Chunky Soup? Send pictures to www.carcraft.com.

Disclaimer: If you can’t write a complete sentence, don’t worry, we will make your work comprehensible. That includes making up stuff we thought you meant. And, sorry, we can’t return photos. www.facebookcom/CarCraftMag